Ambassador Salem Balfakeeh Briefs Indonesian Journalists ...

His Excellency Ambassador Salem Ahmed Balfakeeh delivered a media briefing on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Jakarta for a number of Indonesian journalists and media representatives. The briefing covered the latest political, military, and humanitarian developments in the Republic of Yemen, as well as Iranian interference in Yemeni affairs and its implications for regional security and stability and the safety of international maritime navigation. During the briefing, Ambassador Balfakeeh outlined the position of the legitimate Yemeni Government regarding the recent escalation by the Houthi militia. He referred to attacks targeting camps of the Yemeni Armed Forces in the governorates of Marib and Hadramout, as well as a displacement camp in Marib Governorate earlier this month. These attacks were followed by ballistic missile and drone strikes targeting the city and port of Hodeidah, a vital civilian and economic port, in an attempt to strike one of the Yemeni people’s essential lifelines and undermine the state’s ability to safeguard security in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab. He affirmed that this escalation comes within the context of an Iranian project and agenda whose repercussions extend beyond Yemen to the security and stability of the region, international waterways, and the interests of countries around the world, including the Republic of Indonesia. The Ambassador also addressed Iranian support for the Houthi militia in the areas of arms supplies, training, and the transfer of military expertise and technology. He explained that the continuation of such support is a key factor in prolonging the war and undermining peace efforts, stressing that any serious and sustainable approach to resolving the Yemeni crisis must take this reality into account. He further addressed the repercussions of attacks on maritime navigation in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, reiterating the condolences of the Republic of Yemen, its Government and people, to the Government and people of the friendly Republic of Indonesia over the death of one of its nationals as a result of the attack on the Tahama vessel on August 11, 2026, which was carrying a number of Indonesian seafarers. He affirmed that the Yemeni Government had provided the necessary care to the injured and extended the required assistance and facilities to the Indonesian side in this regard. Ambassador Balfakeeh commended the official Indonesian position and expressed appreciation for the telephone call held by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba, which included a condemnation of the attack and reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between the two countries in support of security, peace, and stability in the region. The Ambassador affirmed the Republic of Yemen’s commitment to continuing to strengthen its historic and distinguished relations with the Republic of Indonesia across various fields. He also commended the important role played by Indonesian media outlets in providing accurate and objective coverage of developments in Yemen, reiterating the Embassy’s readiness to maintain continued engagement with the media and provide journalists with official information and sources. At the conclusion of the briefing, Ambassador Balfakeeh answered questions and inquiries from the journalists concerning the various issues and developments addressed during the briefing.